As part of measures to acquaint the executive members of the Nigeria Union Of Local lGovernment Employees (NULGE),Abia state chapter, with the happenings in the Union, the union has organised a two days’ leadership summit in Umuahia.
The programme which took place at the NULGE Secretariat,Ogurube Layout,Umuahia,had its theme as”NULGE,an Instrument of Conflict Resolution,the Labour/Management Relations Perspective”.
In his address,the State President,Comr Nwaigwe Ikechi Kennedy, congratulated the Exco members for attending the first ever summit organized under his administration, saying it was part of his campaign promise to ensure Exco members both at the State and Branch levels are trained and exposed to best practices as regards unionism.
According to Comr Kennedy, the Workshop among other importance, would help the Branch Executive of the 17 Local Government Areas, to be on the same page with the State executive,such that whatever contributions that are being made at the state level, are reciprocated at the Branch level, for the basis of uniformity.
The Union boss revealed that his major aim of organising the workshop,was to train members on the rudiment of Labour union,so that they could defend the positions they occupy.
He said the training is important for all Branch executive, because they are the Ambassadors of the union across the 17 LGAs, adding that the programme would further help him to carry everyone along in his administration.
Comr Kennedy revealed that the workshop was slated for three times a year, but that of this year,was affected by the Covid 19 outbreak.
He said the NULGE is a democratic union, therefore its leaders must be well equipped,so that they could be able to defend their members at all times.
Delivering his lecture on”Sources and Nature of Conflicts Between Management and Labour Unions at the Local Government, the Transition Committee Chairman of Umuahia North LGA,Comr Lucky Akabuike, commended the organizers of the program, stating that the seminar was apt,as this is the end of the year,a period that allows for New year resolutions and restitutions, giving opportunity for members to brace up new actions in the coming year.
Comr Akabuike examined the various types of conflicts, saying that union members use Strikes, Lock-outs, Picketing/Boycotting,Gate Closure and Warning strikes in some cases to air their grievances against the Management.
On the other hand, the former NLC chairman,Abia State, stated that conflicts could arise as a result of Government or Management not meeting up with the demands of the workers, pointing out that Non-payment of Salaries/Allowances,Poor renumeration,Delay/Non promotion of staff among others, could lead to conflicts in the organization.
Comr Akabuike, however,said that the NULGE as an industrial union, should be an instrument of bridging the gap between management and workers,for peaceful coexistence, adding that negotiation and constructive bargaining are better choices left to achieve workers’ rights and privileges, adding that no nation has achieved peace through the barrel of the gun or the truce at the battle field.
Other topics treated at the workshop also include,Human Resources Management at the Local Government by Prof Dick Uduma, Motivation and Dialogue, Source of Conflict Management by Chief Kingsley Nwokoro, among others.
In an interview,some of the attendees at the workshop,Comr Chris Nwachukwu,Branch Chairman,Isialangwa North LGA and Comr Ojisi Onuoha, NULGE Secretary in Ohafia LGA,thanked the organizers for the training, saying that the training has exposed them to the law and they can now operate freely, without fear of being molested.
They promised to pass what they have learnt to other members,as well as put them into practice.
in Ohafia LGA,thanked the organizers for the training, saying that the training has exposed them to the law and they can now operate freely, without fear of being molested.
